What is Gre: Definition and 445 Discussions

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada and few in other countries. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.According to ETS, the GRE aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of learning. The content of the GRE consists of certain specific algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and vocabulary sections. The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered at testing centers and institution owned or authorized by Prometric. In the graduate school admissions process, the level of emphasis that is placed upon GRE scores varies widely between schools and departments within schools. The importance of a GRE score can range from being a mere admission formality to an important selection factor.
The GRE was significantly overhauled in August 2011, resulting in an exam that is not adaptive on a question-by-question basis, but rather by section, so that the performance on the first verbal and math sections determines the difficulty of the second sections presented. Overall, the test retained the sections and many of the question types from its predecessor, but the scoring scale was changed to a 130 to 170 scale (from a 200 to 800 scale).The cost to take the test is US$205, although ETS will reduce the fee under certain circumstances. It also provides financial aid to those GRE applicants who prove economic hardship. ETS does not release scores that are older than five years, although graduate program policies on the acceptance of scores older than five years will vary.

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  1. Hassan Raza

    Is a Low CGPA a Deal Breaker for Grad School Admissions?

    Hi! I want to apply in Grad schools in USA as an international Student. But my cgpa is around 2.69. Most of the graduate school require at least 3.0. But there are some that do not have any minimum cgpa requirement on their website. But people say it's very difficult to get admission. I've not...
  2. Azerack

    Admissions Safety School Programs for a Physics PhD

    Hi, this is my first time using the Physics Forums so please let me know if this question belongs somewhere else. I'm a senior undergraduate at a mid-size institution in the United States seeking to purse a PhD in High Energy Theoretical physics or Quantum Information/Computing. I'm aware these...
  3. karush

    MHB Are there GRE options for triangles?

    actually I didn't find this a slam dunk question...
  4. karush

    MHB Finding the Largest Root of a Polynomial Using Synthetic Division

    $\tiny{GRE.al.06}$ For the polynomial $x^3-3x^2-6x+8\quad -2$ is the smallest root. Find the largest root. $a.\, -1 \quad b.\, 1 \quad c.\, 2 \quad d.\, 3 \quad e.\, 4$ Since -2 is a root then use synthetic division $\begin{array}{r|rrrr} -2&1&-3&-6&8\\ & & -2& 10&-8\\ \hline &1& -5&...
  5. karush

    MHB GRE often missed geometry question

    ok this is an observation question but many seem to miss the answer What theorms would rely on to get the correct answer
  6. M

    Prob/Stats Top eBook for GRE Probability & Combinatorics Prep - Hi PF Community!

    Hi PF! Does anyone recommend a particular ebook for studying GRE-level questions in probability and combinatorics? I'd really appreciate it!
  7. V

    Testing Similar tests like the GRE for physics

    Hi guys, I am new to this forum. I want to know whether there are any similar tests equivalent to GRE physics test. I googled and tried in few university websites but I couldn't find anything.
  8. V

    Grad school with no Physics GRE but research experience?

    Due to not having any money after financial aid this semester (also covid, no job, etc.) I don't have money to afford to take the physics GRE. I do however work in a lab as a research assistant and have research experience. I'd like to get into a school for astrophysics potentially. Any...
  9. karush

    MHB What are the factors of -48 that result in a positive sum?

    ok I don't don't know de jure on this so ... is it just plug and play?? find factors of -48 $-1(48)=-48$ $-2(24)=-48$ $-3(16)=-48$ $-4(12)=-48$ $-6(8)=-48$ check sums for positive number $-1+48=47$ $-2+24=22$ $-3+16=13$ $-4+12=8$ $-6+8=2$it looks like c. 5
  10. karush

    MHB *gre.al.9 GRE Exam Inequality with modulus or absolute value

    given $|y+3|\le 4$ we don't know if y is plus or negative so $y+3\le 4 \Rightarrow y\le 1$ and $-(y+3)\le 4$ reverse the inequality $ y+3 \ge -4$ then isolate y $y \ge -7$ the interval is $-7 \le y \le 1$
  11. P

    Schools To include or not include the Physics GRE scores?

    Hello everyone! I am an international student at a US university applying for PhD programs in Physics and Astronomy. I recently got my PGRE results back and I have an 800/990 (which put my at a 70 percentile). I have a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Physics and Math major, have 1 publication and 4 on the...
  12. P

    Testing Can I choose which Physics GRE scores to send to grad schools?

    Hello! When I apply to grad schools and sent my Physics GRE scores, will I be able to send only my score from the October test and not the September one? Or is it the case that most Physics grad schools require you to send all of your scores; that is, send the score for all the tests you took...
  13. karush

    MHB 219 GRE what is the value of g'(1)

    $\tiny{219\quad inverse function}$ Let $f(x)=(2x+1)^3$ and let g be the inverse of $f$. Given that $f(0)=1$, what is the value of $g'(1)?$ $(A)\, \dfrac{2}{27} \quad (B)\, \dfrac{1}{54} \quad (C)\, \dfrac{1}{27} \quad (D)\, \dfrac{1}{6} \quad (E)\, 6$ so rewrite at...
  14. P

    Testing Physics GRE or Math GRE for theoretical physics?

    I'm a student from the UK, completing a degree in theoretical physics. I'm interested in pursuing graduate opportunities in both the UK and the US. Of course, I am much more familiar with the 'UK standard' for graduate studies, in that the areas I want to pursue can fall into either the maths...
  15. T

    Testing Is my physics GRE score strong enough?

    Hey! So I got my physics GRE score back. Got a 780, which I'm happy with, but I'm wondering, is it strong enough for the most competitive programs? Here's my profile: 3.76 GPA 4 years of research experience, 2-3 publications URM: racial minority, first-gen, low-income Majoring in math and...
  16. S

    Testing Which are the physics topic included in GRE classes?

    Which are the physics topic included in GRE classes?
  17. N

    Schools Realistic Graduate School Opportunities in Computational Astrophysics

    Hi, I'm a junior at a Ivy League (H/Y/P/C - going to remain anonymous for privacy reasons) and I wanted your honest opinion on what my chances are for graduate school in computational astrophysics and where I should look for the best chances. GPA: 3.5/4 (working to raise this, had a bad...
  18. J

    B field and H field confusion, physics GRE

    I'm getting ready for the exam that's coming up and I just took the 2017 practice exam to see what the last gaps are that I need to fill. Question 96 of this exam asks: "The magnetic field inside a long coil of wire (solenoid) has a certain magnitude and direction when the coil is air filled...
  19. shahbaznihal

    Testing Electricity and Magnetism section in GRE Physics

    Hi, I am taking GRE Physics this year and I am preparing from Conquering GRE Physics book and I have covered everything in that book on Electricity and Magnetism (yet to study Optics and Waves). My question: How much from Griffith Electrodynamics book do I need to study? Or is the material in...
  20. M

    Chem Eng student, scored 990 on GRE Physics

    Hi, so I am from the UK, and we do a levels at school. I had four A levels at A grade (pretty average, hard workers can get A*) and an A at AS physics but my overall A level in Physics was B (I fast tracked the 2 year course in one during my gap year after school). I only needed Bio, Chem and...
  21. M

    Testing Is there a Europe equivalent to the Physics GRE?

    Is there a qualification undergrad engineers can take during university to show their aptitude for physics and maths? Like a recognised test, aptitude test that they can put in their academic record as well? Anything along these lines at all? Is there one that is recognised in UK, Europe and...
  22. Phylosopher

    Studying Preparing for Math & Physics GRE: Tips & Strategies

    I am taking one year break to work and relieve myself from the burden of the university. I studied physics and minor mathematics. I will apply to PhD or Masters next year. (I will take the GRE next year too). I took the following materials for my minor math: - Real Analysis - Abstract Algebra -...
  23. Greg Bernhardt

    Testing Contest - Win "Conquering the Physics GRE" book

    Undergrad physics students, are you taking the physics GRE in April or next fall? We have a contest for you! Big thanks to Cambridge University Press for donating a copy of the newly published 3rd edition of Conquering the Physics GRE! How to win: Post your favorite physics problem you've run...
  24. R

    Admissions Applying for Ph.D. program without having taken the GRE

    Hi all. I'm currently working on both an M.S. and B.S. in physics and hope to finish with both during the upcoming summer. I wanted to apply to a Ph.D. program for next fall at a different university, partly because the research here isn't quite what I'm interested in, which is computational...
  25. K

    Admissions Does the GRE Search mean anything?

    Hello all! I recently had a few major changes in my thinking about what I want to do with my life. For awhile, I thought I wanted to pursue my PhD in physics, so I signed up for the GRE and with it I signed up for the GRE Search tool, which I guess is a tool schools can use to find potential...
  26. M

    Testing Preparing for Physics GRE: Moving Test Date?

    I have been studying for the physics gre for a couple months now and can't seem to do better then getting 40/100; I have taken all but the 2008 physics gre test. I am taking a gap year so would it be a bad idea to move my test date to April instead of doing poorly in October and taking the test...
  27. S

    Testing GRE General Score Question -- Should I retake it?

    Hello! I just had my general GRE and I got 158 on the verbal part. How good/bad is it? I want to apply for a phD in physics, should I retake it? I got 170 for math and I am talking about graduate schools as MIT and Caltech. Thank you!
  28. S

    Testing Best GRE Apps for iPhone: Get Ready for Exam Day!

    Hello, I’m starting my GRE study soon and would like to know what you guys recommend for GRE study, specifically iPhone apps. I don’t plan on taking exams on the phone, but I would like something that I can use to cram into long term memory while I am on the bus every day. Anything that you...
  29. S

    Are my GRE scores acceptable for PhD in Optics?

    Hello Everyone! I am Sharvari from India, interested in quantum and non linear optics and wish to pursue PhD in this domain. I am looking forward to active discussion on the grad school discussion forum as I will be applying for grad schools this year.
  30. Q

    Studying GRE for mathematics and for physics

    How much is it difficult for a person to write Gre subject tests mathematics and physics without mathematics and physics background? How long should they prepare?
  31. S

    Testing To focus on general GRE Writing?

    Hi all, Maybe most people would say that physics grad schools (PhD) programs don't care about your GRE writing score, but I have a sort of quick question: how much effort should I put into the Writing sections. I took my first GRE earlier this month, but messed up both of my writing sections...
  32. G

    Testing Physics GRE Prep - Mechanical Engineering Student | Book Guide

    I am a Mechanical Engineering student. I have four months to prepare for physics GRE. How should I study for it? Which book is most preferred ?
  33. RJLiberator

    Other Is "Conquering the Physics GRE" book worth my time/money?

    Upon my path towards studying for the physics GRE, the only book that I've had recommended is "Conquering the Physics GRE" located here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1479274631/?tag=pfamazon01-20 The book is not too expensive, which is nice ($46.00). However, I'm not entirely sure that it is...
  34. RJLiberator

    Testing Need Help planning my study for Physics GRE

    Hi all, I will be taking the Physics GRE in September/October of this year. I am looking to (on average) take a couple hours per day to study for the physics GRE starting as soon as possible. However, I need a smart study plan (obviously it's a big world out there!) First, I've noticed a...
  35. majormuss

    Attend an average PhD program or wait a year to retake the GRE?

    Hi all, I got accepted to 2 Astrophysics phd programs ( University of Connecticut and the University of Cincinnati). To be honest, I am not thrilled by the prospect of attending either school but my only other option is to retake the GREs again and wait another year to attend graduate...
  36. S

    Testing Is the Math GRE Necessary for a Physics Program?

    Hello! I took my physics GRE and I got a good score on it. I am thinking to take the Math one, too (I looked over the problems and they seem ok). Do you think it worths? Like, if i apply to a physics program, would math GRE have any impact or they would completely ignore it? Thank you!
  37. S

    Testing GRE Results: 990 Scaled Score & 94 Percentile - Applying to Top Universities?

    Hello! I received a scaled score of 990 on my GRE and a percentile of 94. Can someone explain to me what the scaled score means and out of how much is it. Also how good is the score for applying to top rank universities (Caltech, MIT, Harvard) i.e. I want to take the math GRE too, even if I go...
  38. S

    Testing GRE Physics Score Calculation Explained

    Hello! Can someone please explain to me how the GRE Physics score is calculated. I just know there are 100 questions, and for each wrong question you lose 1/4 of the value of the question. But I understand that there is a way to normalize the score to previous editions and I don't really...
  39. S

    GRE Entropy Question: Problem 21 in Attached File - Solution Debate

    Homework Statement It is problem 21 in the attached file. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution The answer seems to be C. I thought it is D. Can someone explain it to me please?
  40. S

    Preparing for Physics GRE: What to Expect?

    Homework Statement Hello! This is not a real homework question but I was not sure where to post it. I am preparing for my physics GRE exam and I am not sure what to expect. I looked over some old exams (1980's, 2001 and a practice they posted from 2008) and they seem fine (in the sense that you...
  41. S

    Calculating Relative Velocity of Spaceships Using GRE Relativity Equations

    Homework Statement Two spaceships pass each other. Space-ship A moves relative to a nearby planet at velocity ##v_1##, while spaceship B moves at velocity ##v_2## relative to the planet. How fast does spaceship A move relative to spaceship B? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I just...
  42. S

    GRE question: oscilloscope with two oscillators

    Homework Statement Hello! The problem is the one I attached. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution They say the answer is A, but I am not sure why. From what I remember from lab class, when you put 2 signals on x and y-axis you get usually a closed loop, like D or E. I think D happens...
  43. S

    Master Electromagnetism on the GRE with Problem 55 Explained

    Hello! I have a question about a GRE problem. It is problem 55 in the attached file. So the answer seems to be (A) but I am a bit confused. Isn't this basically interference, so the right answer would be (C)?
  44. R

    When is the Best Time to Prepare for the GRE?

    Hi guys. I'm relatively new to the Physics Forums, so forgive me if this question has been asked a bunch already. (I'm sure it has). I'm currently a junior in UCLA and majoring in Physics. I want to go to grad school (not sure which yet) so I'll obviously need to take both the general GRE and...
  45. S

    I GRE related question in Quantum

    Hello! I was doing a GRE practice test and I came across this problem: The chlorine molecule consists of two chlorine atoms joined together by a covalent bond with length approximately 100 pm. What is the approximate kinetic energy of one if the covalently bonded electrons? And in their solution...
  46. D

    Admissions GRE & Admissions: Does Quant Score Matter?

    I was just wondering how significant the quantitative gre score was in admission decisions. My score isn't awful (76th percentile) and my pgre is 850. Just curious.
  47. N

    Testing One Week to Physics GRE 2016: Tips from past exam takers?

    There's about one week to the Physics GRE. I've worked through all five past exams and corrected mistakes. What would those of you that scored well recommend I do in this last week or so before the exam? Should I retake the five exams timed? Work through the 500 exam questions slowly? Just...
  48. Naytile

    Programs Materials PhD help: Low GRE score spooks physics major

    Hi. So, I took the general GRE the other day and did crappy on the Quant. This worries me. I'm applying to Materials Engineering PhD programs soon. I'd like to get some opinions of how deep of a ditch I've dug for grad school, or how much this retracts from the rest of my credentials. Do I stand...
  49. O

    Admissions Strong GPA, Research, References--Bad GRE Score

    Here's my situation. I have a high GPA at a very well known university, three research internships (including an REU and SULI,) a senior thesis, a potential publication, and strong recommendation letters. My physics GRE score for the September test? 510. BEYOND terrible. I'm taking it again but...
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